Columbia Heights

Dear PoP – What’s Up With DC USA’s New Parking Policy?

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by M.V. Jantzen

“Dear PoP,

So what gives with the new parking policy at DC USA? They no longer allow motorcycles or scooters to park in the actual garage. Instead you have to enter by the Park Street entrance and park up on one of the sidewalks where there’s a security guard to watch over the motorcycles and scooters. That wouldn’t be bad except that (1) you then have to walk all the way around to get into the building, and (2) it always seems to be raining when I’m doing this. The first couple times the security guards wouldn’t give me an answer when I’d ask why I couldn’t just park my Vespa in the garage. All they’d say is that I shouldn’t be complaining because now I can park for free. One of the guards I spoke with today said something about DC USA’s insurance no longer covering motorcycle or scooter parking in the garage. I’m assuming this is because there’ve been a number of thefts.

Have you heard anything about this policy? On the one hand, I guess I’m happy that they’re trying to prevent further thefts of motorcycles and scooters. But I sure wish there were a way to do this and still allow people to park in the actual garage, not around the corner. And the whole thing would go down smoother if the security guards did a better job of communicating what was going on. All they do is scream at you that you can’t park in the garage and that you have to park around the corner. And to top it off, they seem put off by the fact that people might have any questions about this policy. I mean, it’s pretty strange when you try to park in a parking garage and they tell you can’t, but they don’t give any further explanation. It made me feel like *I* was the criminal, and it sure didn’t make me want to go inside and spend my money there.”

Anyone familiar with this new policy? I thought they had like a million parking spots in this complex?

Dear PoP – What’s Up With “Social” on 14th and Meridian?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

Any word on what the new building is on 14th st NW (around Newton and Meridian)? Its still under construction, but a sign on the window says “the Social”, leading me to believe it’s a new bar or restaurant coming. I’ve googled, but haven’t come up with anything.”

I stopped in this weekend to get an update so I’m happy to say it’s still going to be the same spot. I spoke with one of the owners, AJ who showed me around the space. It’s starting to come together nicely. They are still waiting on some permits but they’ve got all the kitchen equipment and should open 10 days after all the permitting goes through. AJ says they should open in August at the latest. But as a commenter mentioned somewhere else, you never know how long those things take. Hey, at least the fence has been taken down. I’ve been monitoring this space closely and will update as soon as there is more progress.

Ojo Latino

By Prince Of Petworth

Ojo Latino is a series by Néstor Sánchez Cordero. This week features great pictures from the 14th and Girard Park opening. Néstor says, “Images are around, the secret is to catch them at the right moment and with the right light…”

Two more after the jump. (more…)

Kiko’s Chicken Closes – New Peruvian Chicken Spot to Take Over in August

By Prince Of Petworth

Wow, that was fast. Kiko’s had opened up in March at 3703 14th Street, NW. Thanks to an alert reader for sending the news:

“You know, those of us in North Columbia Heights had high hopes for Kiko’s Chicken at Spring and 14th. It was disappointing. Last night we noticed that it is closed and has a sign up that a new Peruvian chicken place will arrive in August.”

Hopefully the Peruvian spot will have more success.

Uptowner Cafe Opens in the Tivoli Complex on 14th Street

By Prince Of Petworth

Back in March I reported that a deli was going to open up in the old Carvel space on 14th Street just north of Park Road, NW. They officially opened their door on Friday. I took a peek inside and it looks really nice.

You can see their Web site here. This is their third location with two others at 2023 G Street, NW and 2400 M Street, NW. In addition to sandwiches there is also a separate section for coffee:

And what I saw as a great sign – they carry Dr. Brown’s soda:

Anyone check them out this weekend?

14th and Girard Street Park Opening Celebration a Great Success

By Prince Of Petworth

There is a time for doubt and a time for hope. This is most definitely a time for hope. When we discussed the park on Friday, some folks were rather skeptical. As I said in the comments there, I believe now is the time to offer the benefit of the doubt and to celebrate and enjoy the nice new facilities. In fact the opening celebration on Saturday afternoon was filled with joy, music, and good vibes.

There was an initial vote also held on Sat. to rename the park. The choices were picked by the “friends of the park” group. Nominees were Jim Graham Park, Mack Thompson Park (a local activist), Obama Park, Capital City Park, or a write in choice. The “winner” will be announced Monday evening. I put winner in quotes because the City Council will still need to pass legislation to officially rename the park. The park is being renamed because folks often confuse this park with the Girard Street Park which, incidentally, was also recently renovated.

A resident familiar with the background tells me:

“With respect to the naming of the park, this ‘friends of’ group established a shortlist for the community. The ANC commissioner for the park is Rosemary Akinmboni, and she agreed that the opening celebration of the park would be a good opportunity to get input from the community regarding the name. The main impetus for the renaming of the park is that there is another park down Girard St. closer to 15th St., which is commonly known as Girard Park. Needless to say, it is obvious how this could be confused with the 14th and Girard Park.”

14th and Girard Street, NW Park Opening Celebration Saturday

By Prince Of Petworth

This morning Mayor Fenty attended a ribbon cutting ceremony but you can join in the celebration on Sat. I took some photos last weekend but will update this weekend. It certainly looks like a really nice upgrade. Glad to see the built in chess boards. And bathrooms too!

More photos and full press release after the jump. (more…)

Good Deal or Not? Right by the Giant Condo Edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This condo is located at 1330 Park Road, NW:


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The flier says:

“City dwellers delight!!! Updated and upgraded terrace level condo in heart of Columbia Heights. Open floor plan. Stainless, granite, custom cabinetry. Hardwood floors throughout. European master bath w/ tumbled marble. Large master walk-in closet. Close to metro and shopping.”

More info and photos found here.

I was really excited about this unit until I realized it was a lower level unit. The renovation itself looks fantastic and it does seem to get natural light so maybe the lower level isn’t a big deal. What do you think of the condo itself? Does $409,000 sound reasonable for this 2 bed/2 bath?

Dear PoP – Loitering a Big Problem at the at Firehouse, 14th and Newton St. NW

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by John

Ed. Note: I didn’t have a photo of the firehouse at Newton so just picked a random one from flickr. Regarding the firehouse at Newton, I too have seen random people hanging out and setting up a small portable bbq and wondered if it was sanctioned by the firehouse.

“Dear PoP,

I wanted to raise the issue of loitering in front of the firehouse on 14th and Newton streets, as it’s caused a great deal of frustration for the residents of Newton and certainly beyond. Those familiar with this spot know that there used to be benches in front of the firehouse, a beacon for all types of characters. Generally, these people are unruly, intoxicated, offensive and pretty insensitive to anyone around. Jim Graham had the wood benches removed last year, but the cement structures of the benches remain, and now the regulars have taken to bringing their own furniture in the form of lawn chairs, desk chairs, etc. It’s easy to write these folks off as “homeless”, however, it’s become pretty obvious that they do have homes. They park cars along the curb of 14th St. and blast music; if it’s nice out you bet they’re grilling (that’s right they have a grill and meat to cook), and after they leave the entire area is a disaster. Trash is left everywhere as well as items that apparently aren’t worth holding onto.

We started by contacting the firehouse. The gentleman who was apparently in charge, asked if we were referring to “Bumfest”. That’s right, this is a civil servant. The obvious indifference to members of the community and apathy towards the situation outside of the firehouse is pretty frustrating considering we care about our neighborhood. Most of these firefighters are from other states, and seem to care less about the immediate community. Councilman Graham has expressed repeated frustration to his constituents, but there’s no loitering law in DC, and police claim they can do nothing.

I find it hard to believe that if my friends and I decided to congregate on the sidewalk and grill, start fights, curse out passersby, puke, and trash the area, we wouldn’t be punished in some way. It’s really embarrassing to have the first site visitors see on your street be a group like this.

Does anyone else in the neighborhood share my sentiment? We’ve contacted the non-emergency number close to 10 times now, but the problems persist. Please make the community aware of this issue, I really want to offer these people an alternative.”

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